National Military Appreciation Month in May 2018 provided a dedicated period for businesses and organizations across the United States to express gratitude to active duty, retired, and veteran service members through a variety of discounts and complimentary offers. This annual observance, designated by Congress in 1999 and accompanied by a presidential proclamation, encompasses several key military holidays, including Military Spouse Appreciation Day (May 11), Armed Forces Day (May 19), and Memorial Day (May 28). Many brands, particularly in the entertainment and hospitality sectors, structured special promotions around these dates, offering free admission to theme parks, zoos, and other attractions for military personnel and their families. The following article details the verified offers available during this period, based on information from official promotional pages and announcements.
The scope of offers primarily centered on free or discounted access to attractions, with a significant focus on theme parks and family entertainment venues. While some brands offered everyday military discounts, the month of May 2018 featured time-limited events specifically for Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day weekend. Eligibility for these offers typically required valid military identification, and many were structured to extend benefits to immediate family members at reduced rates. The information compiled here is drawn from official sources, including brand websites and promotional announcements, ensuring accuracy for service members seeking to utilize these appreciation programs.
Verified Free Admission and Discount Programs
A number of national and regional attractions offered complimentary admission or significant discounts to military personnel during May 2018. The following programs were explicitly listed in official promotional materials.
Theme Park and Entertainment Venue Offers
Several major theme park chains announced special military appreciation days for May 2018, providing free entry for eligible service members and discounted tickets for their families.
- California’s Great America (California): The park offered free admission to all active or retired military members during Memorial Day weekend, specifically on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. This offer required the presentation of a valid military ID at the ticket booths.
- Carowinds (North Carolina): The park held Military Days on May 27-28, 2018, offering free park admission to any active, inactive, or retired United States service member with a valid military ID. The promotion extended to July 2-8, 2018.
- Dorney Park (Pennsylvania): As part of its Tribute to the Armed Forces program, Dorney Park offered free regular admission to active or retired military personnel during Memorial Day weekend (May 26-28) and Fourth of July (July 1-4). Eligible personnel included active military, retired military, National Guard, veterans with honorable or medical discharge, and Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) members. A valid ID was required at the turnstile. Additionally, active and retired members could purchase discounted admission tickets for up to six immediate family members at a special price of $29 each.
- Kings Island (Ohio): The park offered free admission to active and retired members of the U.S. military during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, May 25-28, 2018. Qualifying military personnel included active military, retired military, National Guard, veterans with honorable or medical discharge, and ROTC members with government-issued ID. A valid military ID was required at the park. Qualifying personnel could also purchase discount tickets for up to six family members at a special price of $34 per ticket.
- LEGOLAND® Florida Resort (Florida): U.S. service members received complimentary admission to LEGOLAND® Florida Resort & Water Park. This offer was not available online and required a valid military ID at any LEGOLAND Florida Resort ticket window. Discounted tickets were also available at Military ITT offices on bases, and active duty military personnel could save 10% on 1- and 2-day tickets with a valid ID at the gate.
- Schlitterbahn Waterparks (Texas Locations & Kansas): During American Heroes Week (May 28 – June 3, 2018), members of the military (Active Duty, Retiree, Veteran, Reservist, DOD), Police, Firefighters, and EMTs were admitted free to all Schlitterbahn Waterparks. Tickets for spouses and dependent children were available for 50% off the gate price. Eligible members could also save 20% off room rates at Schlitterbahn Resort New Braunfels during this week.
- SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment (Multiple Locations): The Waves of Honor program offered any active duty military, reservist, or National Guardsman one free admission each year to participating parks, including Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Busch Gardens Tampa, Sesame Place, SeaWorld San Antonio, SeaWorld San Diego, SeaWorld Orlando, and Water Country USA Williamsburg. This offer was not available at the parks; military verification was conducted through Troop ID. A separate Veterans Offer via Waves of Honor was also available for Sesame Place, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and SeaWorld San Antonio.
Other Entertainment and Attraction Offers
Beyond theme parks, other entertainment venues participated in Military Appreciation Month with free admission offers.
- Aquarium of the Pacific (California): While the specific 2018 offer details were not fully enumerated in the provided sources, the Aquarium of the Pacific was noted as a participating venue in military appreciation promotions during the summer of 2018.
- The Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium (New York): These venues offered year-round discounts to any active duty or reserve members of the U.S. Military upon presentation of a valid military ID at the admissions gate. This was not a May-specific promotion but was included in the broader list of military discounts.
Everyday Military Discount Programs
Some brands provided ongoing military discount programs that were available throughout the year, including during Military Appreciation Month.
- WORX Tools: WORX Tools offered an everyday 10% military discount program for the military community. This program was not limited to May 2018 but was highlighted as part of the month’s appreciation initiatives.
Eligibility and Redemption Requirements
The offers detailed above were subject to specific eligibility criteria and redemption procedures, which were consistently outlined in the official promotional materials.
Eligibility: The vast majority of free admission and discount programs were extended to: * Active duty military personnel * Retired military personnel * National Guard members * Reservists * Veterans with honorable or medical discharge * Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) members * In some cases, such as Schlitterbahn Waterparks, the offer was expanded to include Police, Firefighters, and EMTs.
Family Benefits: Many offers allowed eligible military personnel to purchase discounted tickets for their immediate family members. For example, Dorney Park and Kings Island permitted the purchase of tickets for up to six family members at a reduced price. Schlitterbahn offered 50% off gate prices for spouses and dependent children.
Redemption Process: The redemption process varied by venue but generally required the presentation of valid military identification at the point of entry or ticket window. Key methods included: * On-Site Presentation: For offers at California’s Great America, Carowinds, Dorney Park, Kings Island, LEGOLAND Florida, and The Bronx Zoo, a valid military ID had to be shown at the ticket booth or turnstile. * Online Verification: For the Waves of Honor program through SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, military verification was conducted online through Troop ID, and the offer was not available at the parks. * Base Ticket Offices: Discounted tickets for LEGOLAND Florida were available at Military ITT offices on bases.
It is important to note that specific terms, such as the number of family members allowed or the exact discount percentage, were subject to each venue’s policy. Service members were advised to check the official websites or contact the venues directly for the most current information.
Context of Military Appreciation Month 2018
The promotions in May 2018 were part of a broader national observance. Congress designated May as National Military Appreciation Month in 1999 to provide a dedicated time for the nation to demonstrate appreciation for the sacrifices of service members. The month includes several key observances: * Military Spouse Appreciation Day (May 11, 2018): Traditionally observed on the Friday before Mother’s Day, this day acknowledges the contributions and sacrifices of military spouses. * Armed Forces Day (May 19, 2018): Celebrated the third Saturday in May, this holiday honors everyone serving in the U.S. military branches. The 2018 theme was "All Across America #KnowYourMil." * Memorial Day (May 28, 2018): A federal holiday observed on the last Monday in May, Memorial Day is dedicated to remembering those who died while serving in the country’s Armed Forces.
The 2018 Armed Forces Day was proclaimed by the President to pay tribute to the service members who preserve the nation's peace and freedom. The offers listed in this article are a tangible expression of the appreciation promoted during this period.
Conclusion
National Military Appreciation Month in May 2018 featured a significant array of free admission offers and discounts for U.S. military personnel, their families, and in some cases, first responders. The primary benefits were concentrated in the entertainment and hospitality sectors, with major theme park chains like SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Cedar Fair (owner of Carowinds, Dorney Park, Kings Island, and California’s Great America), and LEGOLAND providing complimentary access during key holiday weekends. Eligibility was broadly defined to include active duty, retired, and veteran service members, with many programs extending discounted family tickets. Redemption typically required the presentation of valid military identification, either on-site or through online verification systems like Troop ID. While these offers were specific to the 2018 observance, they illustrate the common practice of brands participating in military appreciation initiatives. Service members seeking similar opportunities in future years should monitor official brand announcements and military appreciation websites as each new observance period approaches.